EDITORIAL: Northport City Council should work together

Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 7:33 p.m.

Over the years, the Northport City Council seemed to draw its character from the rough-and-tumble riverboat crews that made their northernmost landings in that city and blew off steam in its taverns. At times, it didn’t seem like the mayor and city councils of the past accomplished much, but it sure was good theater.

The more genteel approach to city government that descended upon the city a few years ago has generally facilitated progress and seemed to create a kinder, gentler Northport. But it hasn’t been quite as much fun to watch.

We should have known that wouldn’t last forever. Monday seemed like old times as Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon unloaded on City Councilwoman Judy Hayes. He “apologized” to a couple of local businesses, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, the Tuscaloosa Police Department and other entities.

Herndon accused Hayes of waltzing into the CARE ambulance office and Mr. Bill’s Family Dining and throwing her political weight around. We don’t know what Hayes allegedly did to Tuscaloosa’s mayor or other Tuscaloosa officials.

Hayes denied making a scene at local businesses and said she didn’t know what she’s supposed to have done to Maddox. Herndon’s “apology” was political bullying, she said.

We did not witness any of the incidents in question, so we can’t speak with firsthand knowledge. What we will say is that if Herndon’s account is true, her behavior was an embarrassment to the city.

City Council members are part of a legislative body. They don’t give orders to city employees or order citizens to comply with city ordinances. That is the responsibility of the city’s executive branch.

Council members are free to gather information from their constituents and to look into problems reported to them. But they must work with other City Council members and the mayor to take care of problems. Hayes erred if she went outside those channels, and she should understand that when council members use their office as leverage to confront citizens or city employees, that’s a kind of bullying, too.

But we also think that the city’s interests would have been better served if Herndon had used the appropriate channels. He’s right to be concerned if council members exceed the authority granted by their offices, and he should be careful to maintain good relations between Northport and Tuscaloosa. The two cities have engaged in too much pointless bickering over hollow rivalries in times past.

However, it would have been more appropriate to discuss these issues with Hayes first and to work through the City Council if that failed. Herndon’s apology seemed more aimed at embarrassing Hayes, particularly when it was made in her absence. Instead, Herndon embarrassed his city.

Northport has made progress in recent years. It would be a shame to see the city government revert back to its old ways, entertaining as they were.

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